Gertrude Gerlitz Healy Bennett

1923 - 2014

Gertrude Gerlitz Healy Bennett

AGE: 90 • El Cajon, CA

Gertrude, 90, passed away on October 16 in El Cajon, California. Daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Reich) Gerlitz, Gertrude was born and raised in Pine Island, NY. In 1941, she moved to Brooklyn, NY and met her future husband, George Healy, in a dance hall. Gertrude and George were married in Brooklyn on October 29, 1944. They moved to NJ where they raised 6 children. After George retired from Colgate-Palmolive Company, they moved to Crestwood Village in Whiting NJ. and enjoyed an active social life there. After George passed away, Gertrude continued to be active in Crestwood, where she met Earl Bennett. They married in 1996 and enjoyed retirement years until his death.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents and 11 siblings, Katherine Erbacher, Pauline Raessler, David Gerlitz, Mary Langlitz, Emma Couzi, Frederick Gerlitz, Jacob Gerlitz, Ruth Nickerson, Theodore Gerlitz, Helen Trella and Erwin Gerlitz. She was preceded in death by her husband, George (1993); her second husband, Earl Bennett (1998); and her daughter, MaryAnn (1986). Gertrude is survived by 5 children, Patricia Healy, Lava, ID, Kathryn (and Larry) Dansky, Lafayette, CO, Brian Healy, Manalpan, NJ, Susan (and George) Von Achen, Port St. Lucie, FL, and Paul (and Patricia) Akers-Healy, Alpine, CA. She is survived by seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in the spring. Gifts in Gertrude's memory may be made to the Mary Ann Healy Memorial Scholarship. Send to the Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701. Arrangements are under the direction of Manchester Memorial Funeral Home. To send online condolences visit manchestermemorial.net.